Development and evaluation of simulation-based fever management module for children with febrile convulsion

A reliable and valid checklist for the evaluation of simulation learning outcomes has great value in nursing education. This study focuses on simulation-based fever management module including checklist for febrile convulsion in pediatric nursing.

This study has two aims; (a) to develop a simulation-based fever management module for treating children with febrile convulsion, and (b) to evaluate students' performance and satisfaction.

A convenient sample of 147 senior nursing students from two nursing schools in South Korea participated in this study from April 29 to June 14, 2013.

This study was a three-stage process: developing the simulation-based module including algorithm with scenarios, items in checklist, and contents of debriefing (Stage I), performing simulation and debriefing for nursing students (Stage II), and evaluating the evaluation checklist of simulation performance and satisfaction of nursing students (Stage III). Student satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction of Simulations Experience [SSE] scale. Debriefing data were analyzed using the Matrix Method.

A scenario script was created to treat the patient's health issues. The algorithm proceeded as follows: identification of patient's condition (Step I), nursing interventions (Step II), and outcome evaluation and feedback (Step III). The total mean score of the evaluation checklist was 2.67 (±.32). The debriefing categories were as follows: non-technical skills, self-efficacy, critical thinking, and technical skills. The total mean score of the SSE was 4.48 (±.42).

This study provides a blueprint for simulation-based practice for both nursing educators and nursing students. Further studies of checklists used in different contexts would be valuable for expanding upon this research.